Paul's Letters for Today (BN3148B)

Content

This unit examines the apostle Paul’s life, ministry, and theology through an engagement with his letters (and the book of Acts). It also explores the ways Paul navigates the issues of inclusion, church leadership, politics, and household dynamics against the historical and cultural background of the ancient Mediterranean world. The unit looks at the relevance and application of Paul’s letters in diverse contexts of personal life, ministry, and public theology. It provides an opportunity for further development of exegetical skills with particular emphasis on rhetorical and socio-scientific analysis.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisite 18 points level 1 Field B and 18 points level 2 Field B

Pedagogy

This unit applies a constructivist approach to HEd pedagogy attuned to online delivery. Teaching and learning in the unit occur through various student-centered learning experiences. Apart from undertaking assessment-for-learning tasks, students will engage with guided readings, exegetical exercises, knowledge application exercises, reflections, video lessons, etc. Online tutorials, workshops, and student presentations will provide spaces for peer-to-peer learning and developing discipline-specific (exegesis) and soft skills.

Indicative Bibliography

• Finger, Reta Halteman. Roman House Churches for Today: A Practical Guide for Small Groups. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub, 2007.
• Fredriksen, Paula. Paul, the Pagans' Apostle. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017.
• Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. Our Mother Saint Paul. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
• Gench, Frances Taylor. Encountering God in Tyrannical Texts: Reflections on Paul, Women, and the Authority of Scripture. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminister John Knox Press, 2015.
• Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul & His Letters. Second ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2017.
• Longenecker, Bruce W, ed. The New Cambridge Companion to St. Paul. Cambridge Companions to Religion. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2020.
• Porter, Stanley E. The Apostle Paul: His Life, Thought, and Letters. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2016.
• Westfall, Cynthia Long. Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle's Vision for Men and Women in Christ. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016.
• Witherington, Ben. A Week in the Life of Corinth. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2012.
• Works, Carla Swafford. The Least of These: Paul and the Marginalized. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2020.

Assessment